How to Choose a Perfume: Notes, Strength and Buying Online
Perfume is deeply personal, which makes it a lovely gift and a tricky thing to buy online, since you can’t smell it first. But once you understand notes and strengths, and use reviews wisely, you can choose a scent you’ll genuinely love. Here’s how.
Learn the notes (top, heart, base) and pick a concentration for longevity (eau de parfum lasts longer than toilette). Buying online, lean on reviews and gift sets to try before you commit to a full bottle.
Understand fragrance notes
A perfume unfolds in three stages:
- Top notes are the first impression, fresh and fleeting.
- Heart notes are the main character that emerges after a few minutes.
- Base notes are the lasting foundation you smell hours later.
Knowing the notes helps you picture how a scent will actually wear, rather than judging it on the first spritz alone.
An eau de parfum lasts longer and makes a classic gift. Check price on Amazon →
Strength: parfum, EDP or EDT?
Concentration affects how rich a scent is and how long it lasts. Eau de parfum is stronger and longer-lasting than eau de toilette, while parfum or extrait is stronger still. If longevity matters to you, or you’re buying a gift meant to feel special, an eau de parfum is usually the safer bet.
Buying scent online
You can’t smell through a screen, so do the next best thing: read reviews that describe the notes and how long it lasts, and lean on fragrances you already know suit you. Gift sets and smaller bottles are a lower-risk way to try a brand before committing to a full-size bottle.
Make it last
To get the most from a fragrance, spray onto pulse points and moisturised skin, and choose a higher concentration if longevity matters. Some scents simply last longer than others, and reviews are a reliable guide to which ones stay with you through the day.
Ready to choose?
Browse current top-rated fragrances, ranked by real customer reviews, then check today’s price on Amazon.
Related guides
- Beauty buying guide for the wider picture.
- Browse the full Beauty department.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between eau de parfum and eau de toilette?
Eau de parfum has a higher fragrance concentration, so it lasts longer and smells richer, while eau de toilette is lighter and often cheaper. Parfum or extrait is stronger still.
How do I buy perfume online without smelling it?
Read reviews on the scent notes and how long it lasts, stick to fragrances you already know you like where you can, and consider gift sets or smaller sizes to try a scent before committing.
How do I make perfume last longer?
Apply to pulse points and moisturised skin, and choose a higher concentration like eau de parfum. Some scents naturally last longer than others, which reviews will tell you.